CL quarters: Atletico - Barca (3-2 agg)

[Kuchi]

Literally at the edge, do or die on wednesday. We'll need our 4 at the back, more than anything

 

[jairzinho]

We need to withstand the early pressure, which is inevitable since we're always shaky at the start. Athleti will press like hell in the early stages to rattle us and then retreat further back once we establish our passing game.

If God forbid, we concede early, expect Athleti to construct a Troy like wall of epic proportions, which i'm afraid not even MSN can bypass.

 

[gasgas]

It's also funny how it tends to be Torres scoring that first goal too. Two out of three games against them this season and at least once last season with that super early goal in the Copa that made me shit myself. Thank God that Torres is suspended. Can't stop scoring against us.

Because he's the striker.
It's usually either him or koke scoring theie goal

 

[Vilarrubi]

I really hope we get the first goal.. would open the game up for us. VAMOOOOSSSS BARCA!!!!!!!!

 

[Jaguar]

expect Athleti to construct a Troy like wall of epic proportions, which i'm afraid not even MSN can bypass.

MSN in current form perhaps not, MSN at their best definitely could unless they're unlucky as hell.

 

[Catalan Fan]

If we see Messi stuck next to Suarez after 5 mins then we're in trouble.

Need to keep him wide and try and stretch their defence a bit.Also gives him more room to manoeuvre and even if he's not running at them, he can cut inside and look for those balls over the top to Neymar.

Does anyone know why he's suddenly playing behind Suarez btw ? Because it baffles me.

 

[raskolnikov]

If we see Messi stuck next to Suarez after 5 mins then we're in trouble.

Need to keep him wide and try and stretch their defence a bit.Also gives him more room to manoeuvre and even if he's not running at them, he can cut inside and look for those balls over the top to Neymar.

Does anyone know why he's suddenly playing behind Suarez btw ? Because it baffles me.

He is exhausted, doesnt have the stamina for rw so goes center to be involved much with little energy.
At this point we might be better if subbing Messi in after 60 minutes to win us the match. Its better than him playing like ghe last 4/5 games.

 

[Altomonte]

Messi at less than 100% is still much better than all other options. Why are we always judging performances after the posted results? Messi was very close to scoring against Atletico (beautiful overhead kick that missed the goal post by a few inches), then he had 3 great chances against Real Sociedad where the GK, Rulli, had an outstanding performance. 4 very close good attempts, a lot of bad luck preventing success.
Calm down, his bad luck will not continue, he is just too good a player and fighter for his team.

 

[Catalan Fan]

He is exhausted, doesnt have the stamina for rw so goes center to be involved much with little energy.
At this point we might be better if subbing Messi in after 60 minutes to win us the match. Its better than him playing like ghe last 4/5 games.

I don't buy into that, he's had 2 months off.Plus, if he "was" knackered he should tell the coach and (yes) sit on the bench now and again, but he doesn't do that.

That doesn't explain why he's drifted inside the last few games.It just doesn't make sense.

 

[Catalan Fan]

Messi at less than 100% is still much better than all other options. Why are we always judging performances after the posted results? Messi was very close to scoring against Atletico (beautiful overhead kick that missed the goal post by a few inches), then he had 3 great chances against Real Sociedad where the GK, Rulli, had an outstanding performance. 4 very close good attempts, a lot of bad luck preventing success.
Calm down, his bad luck will not continue, he is just too good a player and fighter for his team.

Am not judging the man, just want to know why he's slipping inside and cuddling upto Suarez over the last few games.If it's Lucho's decision it's counter productive imo.

 

[beogatts]

im not against any of our players but our best player messi need a good talk to lucho. it seemed like lucho didnt giv a shit whether his players r out of form or not.
other managers wouldve subbed those players who got out of form. i.e. zidane subbed key players like benzema/bale.

 

[Kikan]

Defending a 1 goal lead without Pique is gonna be hell...

On the other hand, if Bartra plays, it's his last shot to prove himself, so maybe he'll actually do well. If he doesn't do well in this game he's probably gone this summer.

I know i will be criticized for this , but Bartra is just not Barca material .

 

[Lelouch vi Britannia]

I know i will be criticized for this , but Bartra is just not Barca material .

I agree. It's just that I think he might overperform this game considering his Barca career would be on the line.

 

[ManusXavi]

I'll just repeat what I said in the Champions League thread after the first leg lol . . . . . .Bye Atletico . . .hats off for what you have achieved over the past 5 years but. . . . .better luck next season

Atletico Madrid are in trouble. There is no way that they can hold Barca to no goals. Atletico knows this. That mind set is bad news for their game plan of scoring two goals. They know they have to score 2 goals. They can't hold Barca to less than two goals on that game plan.

My prediction (I don't do the prediction game) is Atletico Madrid 1-3 Barcelona

 

[ManusXavi]

nicola rizzoli is the refree.

he refreed Barca vs bayern first leg last season.

Busquets , Mascherano needs to be carefull

I don't agree with your opinion of Busquets. I find him very fair when defending.

The Atletico players on the other hand. . . .I'll bet a 24 pack of beer they don't finish with 11 men at the end of the game (whatever the ending will be)